Get to Know Jessica Sharp

Get to know our amazing Principals and Associate Principals during the month of October, National Principals Month. Jessica Sharp is the Principal at Edwards Elementary. She has been with the Ames CSD for four years. Sharp became a principal because she sees places where she can lead change in terms of inequities in education. 

“I became a principal because I see inequities within our educational system and want to do my part in making change,” Sharp said. “I want to make an impact that is directly correlated to closing the opportunity gap for not just students, but the community at large.” 

She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and masters degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Northern Iowa. When Sharp was asked what inspired her, she brought up the moment of “seeing it click” with a student.

“That ‘lightbulb’ moment,” she added. “The grit that resides in our students. They simply never give up.”

Her favorite school lunch is the turkey, corn, mashed potato, and dinner roll meal and would rather read a book than watch a movie. If Sharp has an hour of free time, she would like to golf or be outdoors. Her favorite activity when she was the age of her students was playing with Barbies. She would create her own story lines and change them as often as she wanted. 

Sharp’s favorite way to connect with students is to conduct read-alouds with them. She is excited about what she describes as “the continued drive to grow.”

“Our entire Edwards community is ready to exceed at high levels each and every day,” she adds. 

Her advice for students and families is “Life is too long to wait and too short to worry.”

Thank you, Principal Sharp!